The opinions expressed on this page reflect only the views of the editor of williamsport.com (because I can) and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or attitudes of the fine people of the Williamsport area.

Is It Time To Change The Liquor Laws?

Very quietly the Pennsylvania Senate Bill 674 was sent back to "Law and Justice" Committee to be re-worked. This bill changes the amount (ounces) of alcohol an individual can purchase for take-out from a local bar. It would dramatically affect the "six-pack" business in Pennsylvania. But the real question is whether this bill is designed to make decisions easier for consumers or to line the pockets of special interest groups.

Currently the law limits take out a t a bar or pub to 192 fluid ounces. That's 16 beers ( 2 six-packs plus 40 ounces). It would also re-define a "case" as six individual containers containing at least 66 fluid ounces and would up the carry-out limit to 216 fluid ounces (3 six packs).

If one more six pack is really an issue, is it that much of a problem to make one more trip to the car? At williamsport.com we believe the laws are confusing for consumers that visit Pennsylvania. Just try to explain the six pack vs. case law and the difference between a distributor and a six pack store to a tourist during the Little League World Series.

Why not make cases available in supermarkets like most other states in this country? Why not enable consumers to mix 2, 3, or 4 different six packs to create a case of beer with a little variety?

While we're talking liquor laws, why not "privatize" the existing State Store system. Do Pennsylvania taxpayers really need to spend more consumer dollars to build the pension funds of state workers? Our Governor wants to privatize highways, tolls, and other services because private enterprise "operates more efficiently and competitively." So why not do exactly that with the PA liquor system? Don't you think you could get a better selection or a better price and from Wegman's for a case of beer or a bottle of wine than from the Commonwealth? Who do you think has a higher cost for people to stock shelves?

Pennsylvania needs a complete overhaul of the laws that guarantee union pensions and corporate distribution territories. We need enforceable laws that will provide the best deal for consumers, encourage competition, stimulate local economies, open distribution opportunities for the growing micro-brewing industry in PA, and reduce state spending on pensions.

Unfortunately, the answer to the initial question of "why not make these changes" is quite disconcerting. The truthful answer is that we simply cannot trust our legislators to make any changes putting the interests of the taxpaying public ahead of those of special interest groups or, even worse, themselves.

If you think this is a strong statement you'll probably be interested in viewing a list of legislators that have accepted donations from, or accepted ownership in, companies that won slots licenses, (so would we). The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania makes it more difficult to obtain special interest and lobbying financial contributions than any other state in this country.

The bottom line is the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has a stranglehold on the liquor and beer industries and special interests have too much influence over our lawmakers. It's time to modernize the state's liquor laws and to demand legislator accountability in the process.

- Editor